Two Democratic state legislators who hold top positions in their respective towns have announced they will seek re-election as first selectmen in November.

State Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague and state Rep. Brian Sear, D-Canterbury, will both run again as their party’s choices for first selectman, saying there is too much unfinished business at the local level for them to turn over the reins.

“I’ve worked really hard over the past 5 ½ years and I would love to continue doing that,” Sear said. “It’s very rewarding for me on the local level.”

Sear took office as first selectman in 2007 and was elected last year to represent the 47th General Assembly district that covers Canterbury, Chaplin, Franklin, Hampton, Norwich and Sprague.

Meanwhile, Osten will seek a fourth term as first selectman after securing her party’s endorsement earlier this month. She also took office last year as senator of the 19th district that includes Columbia, Franklin, Hebron, Lebanon, Ledyard, Marlborough, Montville, Norwich and Sprague.

Osten, who is also chairwoman of the Sprague Democratic Town Committee, said she was prompted to run by several constituents and because long-time clerk Claire Glaude has opted to retire.

“I am running to finish up the last of the major projects that we have going on, and because we felt that having two changes in two top offices in the town was very difficult to do,” Osten said.

Sprague Republicans have endorsed former selectman Edward “Buddy” Meadows as their candidate for November’s general election.

Both Osten and Sear said their state legislative duties won’t be a distraction to their work locally.

“The trick to that is to stay focused. I’m not going up there (to Harford) to cover all the bases and spread myself thin,” Sear said. “I’ve been very targeted in trying to preserve municipal aid and preserve the workings of small government.”

Osten agreed.

“I have always worked a full-time job, and other state senators work full-time jobs,” Osten said. “And I’ve been successful in one session in bringing more than $5 million into the city of Norwich.”